Alstroemeria plant named ‘Tara’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Alstroemeria plant named ‘Tara’ characterized as suitable for pots larger than 7 cm; growth height 10-30 cm under greenhouse conditions; bushy-dwarf growth habit; red flowers with a yellow base, black stripes on all petals; and 3 weeks inflorescence longevity on the plant; 2 weeks as a cut flower.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Alstroemeria hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Tara’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Tara’.

‘Tara’ originated from a hybridization made in a controlled breeding program in Chichester in Sussex, United Kingdom by the inventor Robert Adrian Goemans. The female parent is an unnamed selection from a breeding line named ‘Aurea’ (unpatented). The male parent of ‘Tara’ is an unnamed dwarf Butterfly type cultivar (unpatented).

‘Tara’ was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated parentage by Robert Adrian Goemans in 1997 in a controlled environment in Chichester, United Kingdom. The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Tara’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in May, 1999 in a controlled environment in Chichester, United Kingdom. Horticultural examination of selected plants initiated in 1999 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘Tara’ are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of which in combination distinguish this Alstroemeria as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Suitable for pots larger than 7 cm.

2. Growth height 10-30 cm under greenhouse conditions;

3. Bushy-dwarf growth habit;

4. Red flowers with a yellow base, black stripes on all petals; and

5. 3 weeks inflorescence longevity on the plant; 2 weeks as a cut flower.

There are no commercial cultivars known to the inventor, similar in comparison to ‘Tara’. In comparison to ‘Tara’, the female parental cultivar has orange flowers and is tall in size; and the male parental cultivar has blue flowers and is small in size, having a dwarf growth habit.

‘Tara’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without any change in genotype. The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in Chichester, Sussex, United Kingdom under greenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawing shows a typical plant of the new variety with colors as accurate as possible.

The photographic drawing shows the flowers and foliage of ‘Tara’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S). The color values were determined in the afternoon of Sep. 16, 2000 under normal daylight conditions in Wateringen, The Netherlands. The plants described are nine months of age and grown in 15 cm pots.

Classification:

Botanical.— Alstroemeria hybrid.

Commercial.—Alstroemeria cv. Tara.

Plant:

Form.—Pot Plant.

Height.—10-30 cm (Dutch greenhouse conditions).

Diameter.—30 cm.

Growth.—Bushy-dwarf growth habit.

Time it takes to produce a flowering plant.—From planting of rooted tissue cultured rhizomes to flowering is 6 to 9 months, depending on cultural conditions.

Number of lateral branches.—32 per plant. Size: 14 cm in length, 4 mm in diameter.

Length of internode.—16 mm. Color: RHS yellow-green group 145 B.

Foliage:

Quantity.—5-10 leaves on each centimeter of stem, depending on growth stage.

Size of leaf.—Length: 70-90 mm; width: 30-35 mm.

Shape of leaf.—Oblong-ovate; subacute apex; cuneate base; dentate margin.

Texture of leaf.—Smooth and firm.

Color.—Upper side is dark green, RHS 137 A to RHS 137 B underside is light-green, RHS 137 C.

Rhizomes:

Color.—White, RHS 158 A to RHS 158 D.

Size.—Length 10-50 mm; diameter 6-15 mm, depending on age.

Inflorescence:

Number of flowers per cyme.—2-3.

Number of flowers per lateral stem.—2-4.

Number of open flowers per plant.—Typically 12-15 per 15 cm pot.

Flowering season.—May-September under outdoor conditions.

Fragrance.—None.

Bud:

Form.—Tubular pointed.

Diameter.—10-20 mm.

Length.—15-25 mm.

Peduncle.—20-25 mm, medium-green RHS 145 A.

Color.—Red, RHS 46A to RHS 46 B.

Flower.—Size: Medium, length: 40-60 mm; width: 40-60 mm. Shape: Broad obovate.

Color.—Upper surface: Red, RHS 45 C. Under surface: Yellow at base, RHS 9 B. Markings: Black stripes on all petals, RHS 202A.

Tepals.—Outer tepals: 3. Shape: Broad obovate. Size: Length: 64 mm, width 37 mm. Apex: Emarginate. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Serrate. Texture: Silky. Inner tepals: 3. Size: Length 60 mm, width 21 mm. Apex: Cuspidate. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Dentate.

Texture.—Silky.

Peduncle.—Length: 40-50 mm. Color: Medium-green, RHS 145 A.

Lasting quality.—Approximately 3 weeks on the plant; 2 weeks as a cut flower.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.—6.

Pollen.—Plentiful, yellow RHS 9 A.

Anthers.—Yellow RHS 13 A.

Filaments.—Red RHS 50 A to RHS 50 B.

Pistils.—1, color red-pink, RHS 50 B to RHS 50 C.

Stigma.—Color pink-white, RHS 56 A to RHS 56 C.

Seeds.—None.

Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No known information. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant named ‘Tara’, as described and illustrated herein. 